This is a superior property where many aspects are truly five star and this may be due to it being a five-star property when it was built in the 70’s and the ambience has continued. Many of the staff have been at the “Histria” (as locals call it) for years and there are many returning guests.
The furniture and furnishings are all very high quality, some of it Italian.
It is located on the green Verudela peninsula just 15 minutes by bus from central Pula and set in beautiful Mediterranean gardens with lots of space. It is right by the sea, with sea actually on three sides of the building and there is a direct path to the seaside promenade and the beach – no cars. The scent of pine hangs in the air here.
There is a small stone deck beach directly in front of the hotel accessed by a few steps and a larger white pebble beach under five minutes’ walk along a flat path. Here there are double bed loungers for hire and a simple beach bar.
There are two pools, outdoor and indoor (the indoor pool is the largest in any Croatian hotel) and both have free sunbeds and pool towels, the outside pool offers parasols. Excellent beach bar-bistro serving snacks, light meals and salads.
The feel inside the hotel is stylish and in some places intimate, as in the cool Luna’s cocktail bar. There is a private cinema seating around 40 people in comfortable chairs. Regular “movie nights” and when not being used, guests can book for their own use and select their preferred movie. Big sporting events (such as World Cup, Wimbledon Tennis) are often shown.
The Comfort Zone Space Histria Spa covers a huge area and has direct access to the indoor and outdoor pools. There is a wide range of treatments, plus a sauna and relaxation zone with heated beds and a large, well-equipped gym.
The outdoor lounge terrace has beautiful views across the gardens and outdoor pool and outside seating. From June to late September there is high quality live music on most evenings.
In our opinion the buffet breakfast and half board has the best and widest choice of any four star hotel in Croatia.
Around eight minutes’ walk from the hotel, Aquarium Verudela is housed in a historic old Austrian fortress and has some interesting residents and displays including a number of sea turtles which are recovering after injury or illness at sea (usually brought in by fishermen). When back in good health these are released together from the beach, usually on a day in mid-June. Please ask us if interested although the date is normally selected only a few weeks in advance.
This hotel is perfect for couples or groups of friends.
Accommodation
- There are 242 stylishly furnished bedrooms and suites including standard, premium rooms and suites. 126 rooms and suites in the Marina wing and 116 rooms in the main building. The Marina Wing is styled rather like a boutique hotel and guests check in at main reception and use all facilities of the main building.
- Standard rooms have inland or garden view although a few have a partial side sea view. Premium rooms and suites have sea view
Amenities/Features
- Indoor lounge and Mediterranean style outdoor lounge terrace surrounded by gardens and trees
- Lobby bar with outside terrace seating inland facing
- Main Histria buffet restaurant for breakfast and half board dinner with outside seating area. A la carte menu also served.
- Luna’s Cocktail bar, open evenings only with a feel of a Soho lounge (think beaded curtains and velvet sofas). Excellent outside seating including high stools.
- Yacht seafront a la carte restaurant is probably our favourite spot. Open for lunch and dinner, usually from early May until mid-October (weather dependent), it is located in a semi-circular space fronted by see through, perspex walls offering fantastic views. Dishes include homemade pasta and seafood including seasonal specialities.
- The Yacht deck below the restaurant is a sun deck terrace, open daily, furnished with quality padded sunbeds and parasols, towels provided and there is a charge for these facilities.
- Newly added in 2022 were stylish four poster baldachins located on beach pebbles close to the water’s edge, charge applies
- Huge, heated indoor pool almost Olympic size, relaxation beds and towels (free of charge) with panoramic windows to the gardens
- Outdoor pool with sunbeds, parasols, pool towels (free of charge)
- Pool bar and bistro serving wide range of drinks, snacks and light meals
- Extensive spa with wide range of treatments, services and sauna zone. Gym
- Free WiFi throughout the hotel
- Lift
- Room service (not 24 hours)
- Parking (currently free of charge)
- Excursion and activity programme (details close to reception) including boat trips and olive oil farm visits and tastings with the hotel’s own knowledgeable guide. The boat excursion including Cape Kamenjak is not to be missed as it includes several swimming stops and the amazing Kamenjak with its unusual steeped rock formation. Charge applies and must be booked in advance.
- High quality live entertainment most nights from June – September.
- Verudela Avenue (pedestrianised) is opposite the hotel with some shops including a good supermarket, ice cream parlour, café, gift, fashion and beachwear shops, chemist, a la carte restaurant (these are not hotel owned).
- There is an adjacent sports complex, owned and operated by the hotel group with 16 tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, diving school (privately owned) , bicycle rental. Close by yet far enough away that no noise is heard.
Board Basis: Half Board
Standard Room with balcony
Standard room (Double or twin bed) with air conditioning, bathroom (spacious walk-in shower and hairdryer, Elemis toiletries), telephone, satellite TV, mini bar, safe, tea and coffee making facilities. Sofa bed for a child.
Balcony design is unusual in that it is spacious and enclosed to each side providing privacy. Inland views to the gardens or piazza and some may have partial marina-sea view.
Premium Room with balcony and sea view
Premium room (Double or twin bed) with air conditioning, bathroom (spacious walk-in rain-dance massage shower and hairdryer, Elemis toiletries), telephone, satellite TV, mini bar, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, robes and slippers, Illy coffee machine, ironing board and iron, Bose docking station. Sofa bed for a child. Balcony design is unusual in that it is spacious and enclosed to each side providing privacy. Sea views beyond the gardens and pool.
Suite with balcony and sea view
Suite with Double bedroom, additional lounge with sofa bed, air conditioning, bathroom (spacious walk-in rain-dance massage shower massage and hairdryer, Elemis toiletries), telephone, satellite TV, mini bar, safe, tea and coffee making facilities, robes and slippers, Illy espresso coffee machine, ironing board and iron, Bose docking station. Balcony design is unusual in that it is spacious and enclosed to each side providing privacy. Sea views beyond the gardens and pool.